Producing Strategic Leaders for the Future

HANDBOOK 2012
AUSTRALIAN COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE
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Australian Defence College
AUSTRALIAN COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE HANDBOOK 2012 1
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elcome to the Australian Command and Sta Course. Tis
Handbook provides details on the main areas you will need to
become familiar with in your time on Course. I ask that you take the
time to read it it may just answer one or two of those questions on
your mind or it may also raise some issues or points of concern.
Your time at ACSC marks an important phase in your career
development with the years primary focus on the operational-strategic
interface. Te Course provides you with a privileged chance to listen,
learn debate and, most importantly, read and research. You will hear
from the nations foremost experts on defence-related topics and also
have the chance to question and critique the information presented.
Te opportunity to read in depth and consider issues beyond the
initial media headline grab or internet response in todays instant
information society is rare. I encourage you to take advantage of this
time to question and think deeply.
Following selection of the Australian National University as the
academic partner for the Command and Sta Course, 2012 provides
an opportunity for a revised academic program with much more
focus on strategic issues and alignment of the curriculum to the
Defence White Paper / Force 2030 outcomes. Associated with the new
academic curriculum, and in keeping with other professional military
sta courses around the globe, students will enter the ANU Masters
program aimed at achieving a Masters in Military Studies (MMS),
with a Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certicate as a lesser option.
Details of this academic program will be briefed on arrival.
Foreword
Commandant
Australian Command and Sta College
Commodore Richard Menhinick, CSC, RAN
2 AUSTRALIAN COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE HANDBOOK 2012
ACSCs educational philosophy is a thorough understanding of
leadership and command, and the values and ethics that distinguish us
as military professionals. As such, I expect your time at ACSC to rene
your ability to research, analyse and communicate. Te course will also
develop your planning and problem-solving skills, and increase and
consolidate the knowledge required to operate within contemporary
security environments. With o cers from the Australian Navy, Army,
Air Force, and the Public Service, together with over 20 countries
represented at the College, you will encounter a diversity of viewpoints
and experiences. A signicant part of your informal education will
also derive from interaction with fellow course members including
participation in a wide-range of sporting and social activities.
Te Australian Defence Force is widely acknowledged as a corporate
leader in terms of investment in sta development and life education.
Whilst I appreciate there will be course segments that will be familiar
to you, I expect you to embrace the complete program in the spirit
in which it is delivered. Use this year to explore new concepts, debate
issues and examine ideas from all perspectives. Ultimately, you will
get from the year what you contribute as an individual and as a course
member. I look forward to meeting you and sharing your learning
experience in 2012.
AUSTRALIAN COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE HANDBOOK 2012 3
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Introduction
Te Australian Defence College (ADC) was established to meet the
strategic needs of the Australian Defence Force for joint professional
military education and individual joint warfare training. Tis is
achieved through delivery of courses, exercises and programs of study
at the ADC.
ACSC is one of three learning centres of the ADC. Tese learning
centres educate military officers and officials who go on to be
recognised, nationally and internationally, as world leaders in their
profession.
As shown in the diagram below, ACSC sits in the joint professional
military education continuum between the Australian Defence Force
Academy (ADFA) - which provides the Australian Defence Force with
tertiary qualied military graduates at the O2 o cer level - and the
Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies (CDSS) - which provides
higher professional education in defence, national and international
security for senior military and civilian leaders at the O6 - O7 o cer
level.
4 AUSTRALIAN COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE HANDBOOK 2012
Te Joint Warfare, Doctrine and Training Centre (JWDTC) and
Capability and Technology Management College (CTMC) both
subordinate units of the Australian Command and Sta College -
complement the other institutions in the Australian Defence College
by enhancing the Australian Defence Forces joint and combined
operational capability through individual training in joint warfare and
doctrine development and capability and technology management
respectively.
History and Location
ACSC commenced operation in January 2001. Tis marked a new
chapter in the history of o cer education in the Australian Defence
Force, when the three single-Service Sta Colleges - the Royal Australian
Navy (RAN) Sta College at HMAS Penguin, the Army Command and
Sta College at Fort Queenscli, and the Royal Australian Air Force
(RAAF) Sta College at RAAF Fairbairn - were amalgamated and co-
located into a new purpose-built facility at Weston Creek in Canberra.
Te Weston Creek site also houses the Headquarters of the Australian
Defence College and the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies.
Te Australian Defence Force Academy is located approximately 10
km from Weston Creek in the Canberra suburb of Campbell.
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Te emblem of the ACSC is derived from the former
Army Command and Sta College emblem, itself a
derivative of the emblem of the British Army
Command and Sta College, Camberley. Te motto
wisdom is strength is symbolised by the owl,
associated the world over with wisdom, which
surmounts the three vertical bars of navy, red and sky
blue, representing the three services.
AUSTRALIAN COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE HANDBOOK 2012 5
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Courses
ACSC delivers the following three courses:
Te Australian Command and Sta Course (Joint) [ACSC(J)]
- a year-long, full-time course held on-campus for Regular O4/
O5 level o cers from the Australian Defence Force, the Australian
Public Service and selected allied and regional defence forces.
Te Royal Australian Navy Sta Acquaint Course (RANSAC) - a
one to two year, part-time course for O4 level RAN Permanent
Navy and Navy Reserve o cers, other Australian Defence Force
Reserve o cers and Australian Public Service o cers, and selected
allied Navy Reservists. Te RANSAC is conducted by distance and
on-campus /residential modules.
Te Australian Command and Sta Course (Army Reserve)
[ACSC(R)] - also a one to two year, part-time course for O4 level
Army Reserve o cers, and also conducted by both distance and
on-campus /residential modules.
While the nature of Reserve service in the RAN and
Army demands some minor dierences in course
outcomes and delivery methodologies, in principle,
both the RANSAC and ACSC(R) are aligned to
the ACSC(J), and represent sub-sets of ACSC(j)s
professional military education.
ACSCs Approach to Learning
ACSC prepares selected o cers and o cials for command and sta
appointments in integrated, joint and single-Service environments
at the O5 level. Successful leaders are characterised by strength of
ethical character, professional competence and intellect. ACSC
therefore promotes excellence in command, leadership and military
operations, while also focusing on the development of enduring
personal qualities.
6 AUSTRALIAN COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE HANDBOOK 2012
ACSC is a collegiate professional military education environment which
encourages reection and the development of a high degree of personal
awareness. Te general curriculum is set at the post-graduate level.
Historical and contemporary events are used to test the relevance and
applicability of theory. Te sharing of collective operational experience
is one of the many opportunities for learning at ACSC, as it builds
professional understanding and respect among course members. ACSC
fosters a tolerance for alternate views and the creation of enduring
professional networks - intra-Service, inter-Service and international.
Course members are expected to assimilate knowledge then utilise critical
thinking skills to create innovative solutions to complex problems.
Graduates of ACSC will have the ability to analyse and evaluate
opinion, to weigh and assess evidence dispassionately, to build a case for
decision-making from many sources and to tolerate and accommodate
diverse viewpoints. Te capacity to eectively communicate resultant
arguments and conclusions is also fostered. Graduates will embrace
uncertainty and display exibility in their approach to novel and
unresolved situations. Graduates will have developed robust leadership,
command, critical-thinking and communication skills in order to better
meet the challenges of our profession.
Course members will develop these enduring personal qualities through
both individual and team-based activities. Te three courses oered at
ACSC are conducted using contemporary models of delivery.
Staff and Course Member Commitment
Te three courses delivered by ACSC are military courses, conducted
in a military environment that is dedicated to providing the highest
standard of professional development for the future leaders of the
Australian Defence Force, the Australian Public Service, and their
counterparts in selected allied and partner defence forces.
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Regardless of ones status as military or
civilian, regular or reserve, Australian
or allied, the eective conduct of the
three courses requires that all sta and
course members adhere to the Defence
values of professionalism, loyalty,
integrity, courage, innovation and teamwork. Tese qualities underpin
all aspects of the Colleges professional education, and as a values-based
organisation, thus form a critical component of a Course Members
potential.
Sta and course members are expected to share in a commitment
to excellence that is achieved in a supportive environment whose
characteristics are:
a focus on active learning, oering the opportunity to participate
in all aspects of the course;
wherever possible, the use of real-world rather than ctitious
problems;
encouragement of individual experimentation and creativity;
cooperative teamwork;
open and honest sharing of information and knowledge;
support for personal and professional growth; and
respect and fairness towards all personnel, regardless of rank, service,
gender, nationality, religion, culture, experience or expertise.
ACSC Organisation
ACSC is commanded by Commandant ACSC - a one-star military
o cer - an appointment rotated between the three Services. Te
Commandant also commands the Capability and Technology
Management College and Joint Warfare, Doctrine and Training
Centre.
To manage Command and Sta Course, Commandant ACSC has
four O6 level Directors of Study (DOS) - one Regular o cer from
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each of the Services, plus the Director of Studies-Army Reserve. Te
O6 Commanding O cer of JWDTC and the O6 Director of CTMC
also report to Commandant ACSC. In 2012, under the arrangements
in place for the revised academic program, a Dean of Studies from
ANU will also be part of the ACSC executive team. Overall personnel
responsibilities within this structure are:
Development of future education and training courses, conguration
management of current course curriculum, development and
maintenance of academic standards, and course evaluation and
assessment processes across all ACSC units is the responsibility of
the Education and Training System Team (ETST), lead by an O5
military appointment rotated between the three Services.
Each Service DOS is responsible to the Commandant for the
single-Service aspects of ACSC(J), and for the Service-specic
aspects of sta and course member administration. Each DOS is
responsible to the Commandant for single-Service directing sta,
course members, and for the design, development and delivery of
ACSC(J) modules and units assigned.
With ANU as the academic partner from 2012, ANU sta will lead
design, development and delivery of academic modules with O5
level military and civilian directing sta assisting with facilitation
and syndicate inter-action. Detailed design, development and
delivery of ACSC(J) modules and units are assigned to o-line
development sta, referred to as Module Managers. Te direct
guidance, supervision and reporting on course members is assigned
to on-line members of the Directing Sta. Day-to-day management
of course members is the responsibility of on-site military Directing
Sta.
Te Director CTMC is responsible to Commandant ACSC for
management and delivery of the Capability and Technology
Management Course; a year long, Masters-level military science,
technology and capability management and sta course conducted
at the Australian Defence Force Academy campus.
Commanding O cer JWDTC is responsible to Commandant
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ACSC for the oversight and development of joint doctrine,
management and delivery of joint individual warfare training,
and provision of simulation support to selected stakeholders in
order to enhance current and future joint, multi-agency and
international engagement capability. JWDTC is located at RAAF
Base Williamtown, near Newcastle, north of Sydney.
Director of Studies-Army Reserve is responsible to the COMDT
for the detailed design, development and delivery of the ACSC(R),
and for sta and course members assigned to the course.
Director of Studies-Navy is also responsible to the COMDT for
the detailed design, development and delivery of the RANSAC,
and for sta and course members assigned to the course.
Management of the ACSC(J) Course and day-to-day co-ordination
of course requirements are the responsibility of the Director of
Sta Coordination (DSCOORD), an O5 o cer drawn from the
Directing Sta.
Support Agencies
Eective delivery of all education and training
requirements is enabled by the support services
provided by both the Australian Defence College
and on-site elements of the Defence Support
Group.
Headquarters Australian Defence College
commands the Business Management sta, which
in turn, coordinates the delivery of support services
with the Defence Support Group. Tough much of the support occurs
behind the scenes, key services provided to sta and course members
by the support agencies are as follows:
Headquarters Australian Defence College:
o Study Tour Support Cell - coordinates the requirements
for group travel activities, within Australia and overseas, for
ACSC and for the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies.
10 AUSTRALIAN COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE HANDBOOK 2012
o Technical Services Sta - provide audio visual support to
the lecture theatres within the Weston Creek campus.
o International Liaison O ce (ILO) - provides support and
assistance to all overseas course members, across the three
Colleges of the ADC.
Defence Support Group (Weston Creek) provides:
o personnel administration support,
o reprographics and mail,
o information technology services, and
o the library.
Australian Command and
Staff Course (Joint)
Student Numbers
ACSC(J) is attended by approximately
180 full-time course members
at O4 or O5 level, comprising
approximately:
25 Royal Australian Navy,
60 Australian Regular Army,
35 Royal Australian Air Force,
10 Defence civilians, and
45-50 overseas course members.
Aim
To prepare selected career o cers for command and sta appointments
at the O5 level in single-Service, joint and integrated environments.
Objectives
ACSC(J) has been designed around four core and four supporting
objectives. Te core objectives articulate the key functions expected of
a graduate o cer at the O5 level and are as follows:
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Lead a joint sta planning team to develop and execute joint
operational plans in joint, Defence and integrated environments.
Lead a single-Service sta planning team to develop and execute
single-Service plans in an operational or strategic management
environment.
Lead a sta team in a specialist operational or management area.
Analyse national, regional and global strategic issues when planning.
Te four supporting objectives articulate the skill sets that will be
required at the O5 level to meet all four core objectives, and are as
follows:
Develop eective solutions to complex problems through the
application of critical thinking and analysis.
Communicate eectively in all work contexts.
Analyse command at the tactical, operational and strategic level.
Understand the organisation and management of Defence and the
Australian Defence Force.
Course Outline
Te ow of ACSC(J) and the ANU delivered Masters program for
2012 is shown below. ACSC(J) is an attendance course of 45 weeks
duration commencing in late January - preceded by an orientation week
for overseas course members. ACSC(J) includes three one-week leave
or assignment preparation and research periods and nishes in early
December (for 2012, Turs 6th December). Te course is comprised
of the following modules or units of study, listed in chronological
order:
Communication Skills the fundamentals of academic and
Service writing, plus brieng presentation skills.
12 AUSTRALIAN COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE HANDBOOK 2012
Australian Strategic Policy and Environment I and II provides
the concepts, ideas and information to understand and analyse
the nature of strategic policy, the factors that inuence it, and the
evolution of current policy and issues underpinning future issues.
Part II is a comprehensive introduction to Australias past and
present strategic policy, the ideas, events and circumstances that
shape it including Australias strategic objectives, selection of
operational options to achieve strategic objectives, the role of the
US alliance, scal context of strategic policy, and future strategic
policy.
Leadership and Ethics focuses on contemporary leadership
and ethical issues. Te Centre for Defence Leadership and Ethics
is the lead agency with invited guest lecturers. Presentations and
syndicate discussions on contemporary leadership and ethical issues
are interspersed throughout the year to highlight specic leadership
and/or ethical issues.
Strategy covers inuential theorists, how military operations
contribute to political objectives, international law and ethics of
war, plus historical case studies; and links Australias strategic policy
and environment to the development of the operational art.
Development of the Operational Art addresses the application
of military force to achieve strategic ends including the conduct
of operations in all three operational environments (land, sea and
air). Tis unit includes case studies which explore the conduct of
operations and the relationship with strategic and tactical realms
including command, logistic support and sustainment, the impact
of technology, combined, coalition and joint warfare, operational
design and the politicalmilitary relationship.
Joint Operations the capstone element of the course; following
on from Operational Art, this module prepares course members
to lead a joint sta planning team to develop and execute joint
operational plans as part of a whole of government approach, in a
complex, contemporary environment. It comprises the following
units:
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o A Capability Tour.
o Te Joint Planning Process.
o Planning a Joint Campaign.
o Executing a Joint Campaign.
o Stabilisation Operations.
Expeditionary Teory and Operations provides course members
with a foundation of historical and theoretical knowledge relating
to the conduct of expeditionary operations, complementing
Australian doctrine and operational practice including history
and implementation of expeditionary operations. Students will
analyse historical case studies.
Contemporary Conict and Operations develops an intellectual
framework to conceptualise the conduct and analysis of counter-
insurgency campaigns through historical examples. Students will
examine the military, social political, religious and economic aspects
of counter-insurgency and evaluate the applicability of historical
approaches to contemporary campaigns. Contemporary Conict
and Operations will also explore the future of war-ghting.
Australian Defence Organisation this unit provides an
introduction to the structure, functions and processes of the
Australian Defence Organisation, and underpins a better
understanding of the ADO, its history, leadership, financial
management, capability development, acquisition processes, and
overarching issues.
Capability Development covers the fundamentals of capability
development, the part it plays in delivering Force 2030 (Te 2009
Defence White Paper) and the increasing pressure on capability
issues.
Single-Service Studies - comprises the Service-specic areas of
study, with course members completing the module of their own
Service. Te module broadens and deepens course members
knowledge on military power, and brings them to a high level of
Service mastery.
14 AUSTRALIAN COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE HANDBOOK 2012
Delivery Mechanism
For 2012, the academic program / curriculum (ie Masters subjects) will
be delivered by ANU sta (assisted by visiting academics / specialists)
with the military subjects (ie Joint Operations and single-Service) being
delivered by Defence Directing Sta and invited lecturers.
Course Awards
For 2012 - with the blended academic and military program - graduates
of ACSC(J) will be awarded the military qualication Passed Sta
Course (Joint) [psc (j)] for the successful completion of all military
modules and for the successful attainment of an Australian National
University (ANU) postgraduate diploma. Depending on enrolment
and achievement on course, Course Members will graduate with either
a postgraduate Graduate Certicate in Military Studies (CertMS), a
Diploma of Military Studies (DipMS) or a Masters of Military Studies
(MMS) awarded by the ANU.
For those course members achieving an average of 70% or more in
the MMS program they may have the opportunity to articulate their
MMS to an ANU Masters of Arts (MA) for the successful completion
of a 15,000 word sub-thesis.
Royal Australian Navy Staff Acquaint
Course
Student Numbers
Te RAN Sta Acquaint Course (RANSAC) is attended by
up to 14 course members drawn from the Permanent Navy,
the Navy Reserve, other Australian Defence Force Reserves,
the Australian Public Service and selected overseas Naval
Reserves at the O4 level.
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Aim
To prepare selected o cers for sta appointments at the O5 level in
single-Service, joint and integrated environments.
Course Outline
RANSAC is intended to enhance the existing competencies of middle
level o cers so that they can assume positions of responsibility in the
integrated Australian Defence Force. It incorporates elements of the
Communications Skills, Strategic Environment, Strategy, Navy single-
Service and Joint Operations modules of the ACSC(J). Graduates
are expected to be employed as sta o cers in single-Service or Joint
headquarters. Te course is conducted in three phases that require
approximately 30 days of residential study and 10 days of distance
education eort over one year. RANSAC residential phases are held
during ACSC(J) term breaks.
Objectives
Te RANSAC core objectives are based on, but slightly dierent from
those of ACSC(J), and are as follows:
Contribute to a joint staff planning team to develop and
execute joint operational plans in joint, Defence and integrated
environments.
Contribute to a single-Service sta planning team to develop
and execute single-Service plans in an operational or strategic
management environment.
Lead a sta team in a specialist operational or management area.
Analyse national, regional and global strategic issues when planning.
Te four supporting objectives are also based on, but slightly dierent
from those of ACSC(J), and are as follows:
Develop eective solutions to problems through the application
of critical thinking and analysis.
16 AUSTRALIAN COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE HANDBOOK 2012
Communicate eectively in all work contexts.
Understand Australian maritime doctrine and its underpinning
maritime warfare theory.
Understand the organisation and management of Defence and the
Australian Defence Force.
Phases
Te RANSAC comprises the following three phases:
Phase 1 (2 weeks residential). Phase 1 addresses the internal
structure and processes of the RAN and Australian Defence Force.
These include information processing (Defence briefing and
writing), corporate and nancial management, and problem-solving
leading to the Joint Military Appreciation Process.
Phase 2 (50 weeks distance learning). Phase 2 moves the focus
from the internal to the external environment of the Navy. A Naval
management activity is based on a personal work-related issue which
transfers the learning of Phase 1 back to the members Defence
working environment. Two later exercises refocus course members
onto the business of the Navy - primarily through the study of
maritime strategy and history. Distance learning also provides
opportunities to practise the writing skills gained, and employ the
information networks started in Phase 1.
Phase 3 (2 weeks residential concurrent with Phase 1 of the next
course). Phase 3 addresses the RANs operating environment and
looks in more detail at its core business. It starts with an examination
of war and maritime warfare (the Navys core business) and then
examines the geographic, political and military environment in which
the RAN would prosecute its core business. It includes addresses from
the Secretary, the Chief of Navy, and a senior Reserve O cer (one
or two star) that serve to focus and reinforce the roles of the RAN
and the Reserves in the defence of Australia. It concludes with an
extended joint military appreciation and planning exercise.
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Delivery Mechanism
Te course is delivered utilising a combination of Defence sta,
contracted educational services and ACSC Directing Sta drawn,
primarily, from the Naval Reserve.
Course Awards
Graduates of the RANSAC will be granted the military qualication
Passed Sta Acquaint Course [psac].
Australian Command and Staff
Course (Army Reserve)
Student Numbers
Te ACSC(R) is attended by up to 50 Australian
Army Reserve majors.
Aim
To prepare selected Army Reserve o cers for command and sta
appointments in the rank of lieutenant-colonel.
Course Outline
ACSC(R) is designed around those selected elements of the ACSC(J)
that are most applicable to an O5 level Army Reserve o cer. Te
course maximises integration with the Army Single-Service module of
the ACSC(J), particularly the Joint Land Combat unit. Completion
of the course requires approximately 36 days of residential studies and
51 days of distance education.
Modules
ACSC(R) comprises the following three modules:
Foundation Studies Module - aims to enhance the foundation
skills of course members through a series of residential, online
and distance education experiences delivered across one year. Te
Module, though a stand alone element of the entire Australian
Command and Sta Course (Reserve) (ACSC-R), feeds into the
other modules of land operations.
18 AUSTRALIAN COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE HANDBOOK 2012
Command, Leadership, and Training - focuses on commanding an
Army Reserve unit within the broader Defence environment. Te
emphasis of the module is the preparation of a unit-level training
and preparedness directive.
Operations - captures elements of the Army Single-Service
component of the ACSC(J) and is conducted over a two-
week residential block, including integrated training with the
ACSC(J).
Delivery Mechanism
Te course is delivered utilising both on and o-campus education. All
modules comprise both distance learning and residential blocks. Te
course is delivered by senior Army Reserve sta.
Course Awards
Graduates of the ACSC(R) will be granted the military qualication
Passed Sta College (Reserve) [psc (r)].
Facilities and General Administration
ACSC is located at the Australian Defence College site in Kirkpatrick
Street, off Cotter Road, at Weston Creek in Canberras western
suburbs.
The postal address for the College is:
Australian Command and Sta College
Australian Defence College - Weston
Department of Defence
CANBERRA ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA
Telephone: (02) 6266 0315 (International: +61 2 6266 0315)
Facsimile: (02) 6266 0450 (International: +61 2 6266 0450)
Website: http://www.defence.gov.au/adc/acsc_home.htm
Email: ACSC_ COORD@defence.adc.edu.au
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Accommodation
Tere is no living-in accommodation at the College. Australian
course members are expected to organise their own accommodation
in Canberra - through normal channels - before the program
commences. Te International Liaison O ce (ILO) at the College
and the relevant High Commission or Embassy assists international
o cers with accommodation arrangements. Tese o cers should
contact their Embassy or High Commission as early as possible to
access this assistance. Course members sponsored under the Defence
Cooperation Program (DCP) may be allocated a Defence Housing
property through the ILO.
A large number of properties become available in Canberras rental
market during the Christmas period, with the diplomatic and defence
communities contributing signicantly to that turnover and providing
many of the homes available for rent.
Dress
Te normal working dress for most activities is respective Service dress
of the day (shortsleeve, open-neck shirt with accoutrements, trousers
and Service shoes). Additionally, disruptive pattern uniform/ying
suit may be ordered for certain exercises and visits. While the Weston
Creek campus has a no head-dress policy, Service head-dress will be
required for visits to other organisations, both in Canberra and during
eld trips / capability study tours. Civilian dress is normally worn on
campus on Fridays.
Transport
Te most convenient means of travelling to and from the College is
by private car. Te more athletic may consider a bicycle, especially in
the warmer months. A bicycle path runs adjacent to the College site
and links with bicycle paths from most areas of Canberra. Tere is no
public transport to or from the College.
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Academic Facilities
Te purpose-built educational facility,
which houses the ACSC, is state of the
art. Sophisticated information technology
connectivity is at the heart of both
education and administration. Some of
the key facilities include:
one 230-seat lecture theatre (Te Blamey Teatre),
two 60-seat lecture theatres (Te Synnot and Williams Teatres),
16 large syndicate (tutorial) rooms, holding 16 persons each,
6 small syndicate rooms, holding 12 persons (and capable of sub-
division),
22 sub-syndicate rooms, each holding 4 persons, and
video-conferencing capability.
Vane Green Library
Te College has a modern library for the
use of all sta and course members. Te
library houses a comprehensive collection
of course-specific material, military,
management and general topic publications.
Te facility is connected electronically to
the Defence library system. Expert sta are available to assist course
members with research and provide guidance on search techniques.
Te library is dedicated in honour of Colonel Vane St Laurence Green,
OBE, Director of Army Education from 1956 to 1965. In 1969,
Colonel Green was selected to operate the library for the former Joint
Services Sta College, a position he held for the rst eight courses at
that college.
Information Technology
Te ACSC operates an unclassied Local Area Network (LAN) for
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use by course members and academic and support sta. Each Course
Member will be issued with a notebook/laptop computer congured for
campus wireless use for their use whilst on course. Standard Microsoft
O ce applications form the baseline software within a Windows XP
environment.
Prayer Room
Tere is a dedicated prayer room at ACSC.
Weston Creek Mess
Te Mess overlooks the lake and is for use
by all personnel at the Weston Creek
campus. It features a 200-seat dining
room, a bar (open most lunch times and
afternoons for informal gatherings),
anterooms and a verandah entertainment
area. A range of options are available for lunch from light bar-snacks,
sandwiches and rolls, a hearty bowl of soup, to full a-la-carte dining,
and formal top table lunches for special occasions. All are reasonably
priced. A number of formal and informal evening functions will occur
in the Mess during the course. Meals are prepared to meet religious
or special dietary requirements.
Social Program
An active social program is encouraged
and, other than for a number of organised
functions, the details are generally left to
the course members to determine
through a Course Council. Whenever
possible, while distinguished guests are
visiting the College, the opportunity is provided for course members
to meet them on a less formal basis.
Functions are also held to meet other distinguished individuals and
groups. Importantly, a welcoming function for all spouses and partners
will be held in the Orientation Week. As with most military units,
22 AUSTRALIAN COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE HANDBOOK 2012
the College invites spouses and partners to actively participate in the
social life of the course during the year.
Dress for formal functions in the Mess will be respective Service
Summer/Winter Mess kit, lounge suit or smart casual attire.
Recreation/Fitness/Sport
Within the ADC there is a modern,
well-equipped fitness centre, with
showers and change facilities, tennis,
volleyball courts, and an exercise
track. Each course member also has a
personal locker in the change facilities
within the main ACSC building.
Volleyball courts and four oodlit tennis courts are also available on site.
Tere are popular jogging and bicycle tracks adjacent to the College.
Slightly further aeld, within the bounds of Canberra, there are many
other recreational facilities which cater for most tastes. Within a two-
hour drive is the South Coast of New South Wales, with its excellent
beaches and resorts, the shing and bush-walking areas of the Southern
Tablelands, and the ski-elds of the Australian Alps. Te ski season
o cially extends from June to October.
Refreshment Facilities
Tea and coee facilities, ltered water, fridge and microwave are available
in the kitchenettes located in the main ACSC building breakout areas.
Food and beverages are not permitted in the theatres or library.
Banking
Branches of the Westpac Banking Corporation, National Australia
Bank, Commonwealth Bank and St George Bank are located at
Cooleman Court, Weston, some ve minutes drive from the ADC.
All have auto tellers. Te closest branch of the ANZ Bank is at Woden,
about 10 minutes drive from the College. Other major banks also have
branches at Woden.
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Car Parking
Tere are adequate car parking spaces for sta and course members
within the Weston Creek grounds.
Medical Treatment - Australian Defence Force Personnel
The normal conditions of service for Australian Defence Force
personnel apply for medical treatment while at ACSC. Te College
has a small medical facility staed on a part-time basis. When required,
course members will be referred to other medical facilities within the
Canberra region.
Medical Treatment - Overseas Course members
Australia will provide medical and dental treatment free of charge to
all overseas course members where that treatment can be provided
through Australian Defence Force facilities.
Smoking Policy
Te ADC, in line with Department of Defence Environmental Health
Policy, is a non-smoking establishment. Accordingly, smoking is not
permitted in any of the buildings.
AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE COLLEGE
SITE MAP
SSDS Site Manager
Customer Service Centre
Medical Unit
Mess
Library
Gymnasium
Shedden Building
ADC HQ
CDSS
Spender Theatre
Guardpost
Site Entry Gate
ADC RECEPTION
(All visitors must report here)
Geddes Building
Blamey Theatre
WilliamsTheatre
SynnotTheatre
Staff Carpark
GPCAPT
Phil
Edwards
Pavilion
ACSC Carpark
CDSS Carpark
Lake
McKay
BBQ area
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